As I said earlier, savor every moment would be number one. I would also say, be patient with yourself and your work. This industry can be so daunting and stressful. Keep yur faith strong and keep pushing forward until you’re heard. Keep pouring your heart into your work, even when it is turned away. You never know whos lives your going to impact.
As a part of our series about stars who are making an important social impact, I had the pleasure of interviewing Roy Lucian Baza.
29-year-old singer-songwriter Roy Lucian Baza first emerged into the music scene in 2007 at the age of 12.
Releasing material as his previous alias ‘Dom Baza’, the multi-faceted talent worked with respected producers including Doug Chancellor and James Earley. The last few years welcomed his return, after a hiatus due to being diagnosed with the eye disease, Glaucoma, he is an artist that embraces progress, inclusivityand diversity through the power of his music. In 2022, Roy released his self-titled debut album produced by Ben Wilkins alongside a visual film directed by Anthony Rojas entitled ‘Roy: The Film’ which brought the album to life. Following the finalization of his short film in Boston, ‘Where It Began’ which was inspired by music from the deluxe version of his debut album, and his first tour ‘The Closed Door Tour’ with his band, The Loverboys, across the United States. Rising star Roy Lucian Baza, re-teaming with Ben Wilkins, has returned with “Loverboy Lucian”. His 2nd full length studio album, out now. Baza and The Loverboys are scheduled to perform at the historic Hotel Cafe in LA on August 6th, in support of “Loverboy Lucian”, and 2nd single from the album, “Does Your Girlfriend Know About Me? Out Juyly 24, 2024.
Thank you so much for joining us on this interview series. Can you share with us the backstory that led you to this career path?
Since I was 3 years old, music has always been what I’ve wanted to do with my life. There’s no greater passion for me. I started my professional career at 12 years old under the alias, “Dom Baza”. I release 2 albums under that marquee. In 2022 I returned to the music scene with my debut album, “Roy”. And followed up with my recently released sophomore album, “Loverboy Lucian”.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
The “funniest” mistake I made was thinking that I can just open my mouth and sing without training my voice. I’m very grateful that my mom enrolled me into vocal lessons to help shape what would become the voice I now use. I think when we are 12 years old we see all these other teenagers just go out there and do the thing. While that may be true, training your talents is very important for longevity.
What would you advise a young person who wants to emulate your success?
Keep your head up, and relish the moment. If I could tell my younger self to savor every second of the current moment you are in, I would. I regret not doing that earlier. Because those moments are once in a life time, before they become memories.
Is there a person that made a profound impact on your life? Can you share a story?
For my newest album, “Loverboy Lucian”, I would have to say my producer, Ben Wilkins. Ben is more than a producer he’s my mentor and essentially my big brother. I think through this newest body of work, he saw that I wanted to become something more. We both did. And I 100% believe we have and continue to acomplish, this beautiful ongoing metamorphosis.
How are you using your success to bring goodness to the world? Can you share with us the meaningful or exciting causes you’re working on right now?
From the moment I decided I wanted to pursue music professionally, my goal was, and still is, to bring people joy. I started my career singing at nursing homes and rehab centers. I went in with one mentality, make everyone in that room feel something for the hour we would spend together. I still have that same mentality today. I believe music heals, and that’s what I’m doing with my art and creations.
Can you share with us a story behind why you chose to take up this particular cause?
When I was younger I felt misunderstood. No one could understand the vision of what I saw I am capable of. To an extent I still feel that was sometimes. I mean not many people understood the complexity in my debut album “Roy”. They found me confusing as an artist. Then when I got diagnosed with Glaucoma it further made me an outscast amongst my peers and the industry. I feel like it’s my duty to step up for the people who are misunderstood, looking for an outlet of joy.
Can you share with us a story about a person who was impacted by your cause?
I tend to work with people who want the same things that I do. If our morals don’t align, I cut the connection. I would say my band, “The Loverboys” (Michael Abrams and Michale Cloutier), we only want to create music that brings people together and nothing less.
Are there three things or are there things that individuals, society, or the government can do to support you in this effort?
Come out to shows. Purchase artist merch. Support local artists. It is a beautiful thing to support the mainstream artists of today, but there are so many gems in the independent music scene, vying for fans and support. I myself included. This is the only way we survive in this industry.
Why do you think music in particular has the power to create social change and create a positive impact on humanity?
I’ve always thought music is at the forefront of social change and impact. The words we write, the stories we create, and the worlds we build within our songs, they either reflect on society, or are relfected by society. Its our job as creators to contribute to the world as we see it.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started”?
As I said earlier, savor every moment would be number one. I would also say, be patient with yourself and your work. This industry can be so daunting and stressful. Keep yur faith strong and keep pushing forward until you’re heard. Keep pouring your heart into your work, even when it is turned away. You never know whos lives your going to impact.
You’re a person of enormous influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger.
Oh, a little off topic, but also really related to this question at the same time. I think one of my overall goals is to have an arts school for kids who need the arts. Kids who will make the next big impacts in our world. I didn’t have the luxury of a glee club, or a theather company when I briefly attended public high school. I would have loved that. And I know not every town or city has that. I would also love a production company that offers artists a safe space to create, be heard, and be seen. A production comapny or label, for likeminded artists who have so much love to share with the world.
Can you please give us your favorite life lesson quote? And can you explain how that was relevant in your life?
If you love something, set it free. If it comes back, it’s yours. If it does not come back, it was never meant to be. I always found this quote to be so typical. But over the last year since creating my new album “Loverboy Lucian”, I’ve had to cut a lot of the old out of my life. I’ve only that because I loved these parts of myself. And I know that somewhere down the line if it’s meant to be, it’ll come back in a more evolved way. And if not, then hey, at least I cherished those moments when it was mine.
We are blessed that some very prominent names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch, and why? He or she might just see this if we tag them.
Miley Cyrus is my musical hero. So much of my artistry is because of HER. So If you can hook Roy Loverboy Lucian up with the collab? Lol. In all seriousness, I love her and every era of her evolving life and career. And I’m inspired by her to continue “The Cliimb”. Keep the faith, baby.
Thank you so much for these amazing insights. This was so inspiring, and we wish you continued success!
Music Stars Making a Social Impact: Why & How Roy Lucian Baza Is Helping To Change Our World was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.